Stanford Romps Over Iowa in 45-16 Rose Bowl Win

In fact, each and every time the Hawkeyes scored, the family stood up and did a cheer spelling out their team’s name I-O-W-A. It was that kind of afternoon for the Hawkeyes, who hadn’t been to the Rose Bowl in 25 years and looked like they had no business being there Friday.

It took only 11 seconds for Stanford to seize control of Friday’s Rose Bowl. McCaffrey’s 63-yard punt return for a touchdown put the Cardinal up 28-0 in the second quarter and effectively ended the game as a competitive contest.

That Stanford (12-2) came to the Rose Bowl and and blew out Iowa (12-1)is not unusual for the local fans. That style has led to a renaissance for Stanford, which beat Wisconsin in the 2013 Rose Bowl and lost to Michigan State two years ago in the 100th edition. McCaffrey brought the house down with a 63-yard punt return for a score, and Michael Rector caught a 31-yard touchdown pass on a trick play on the way to a 38-0 Cardinal lead. The 94,268 jaws that dropped during the game reinforced that the open-field artist had thrust himself into the discussion about the best performance in the bowl’s 102-game history.

“I’ve had to cover him in practice, and it’s not easy; he’s gotten me more times than not”, defensive back Quenton Meeks added.

McCaffrey, the son of a former Stanford and National Football League wide receiver and a former Stanford soccer standout, said he had a dream the night before the game about the play that had slotted to open the game.

“I don’t know. I don’t know how to answer that”, McCaffrey responded, when asked if this was his best game of the season.

Stanford even got creative – or cruel, depending on your perspective. The Cardinal went up 21-0 in the first quarter and 35-0 at halftime behind do-everything Heisman finalist Christian McCaffrey. He also had a 73-yard touchdown run nullified by a penalty. They may leave the desert wondering what could have been after blowing past another playoff contender.

Ohio State (12-1) rolled past the Fighting Irish (10-3), quick-hitting its way to one scoring drive after another and 496 total yards.

Iowa hadn’t trailed by more than seven points at any point in its magnificent season until Friday. He turned into the show stopper in the second, leaving Notre Dame defenders flailing as he raced for a 47-yard score.

The Fighting Irish had some good offensive moments behind DeShone Kizer, but couldn’t keep up.

The Iowa offense posted an ugly goose egg in the first half and went into the break down 35-0.

As the first 12-win team in school history, the legacy of 2015 Iowa is secure.

MI played without safety Jabrill Peppers, who sat out with an undisclosed injury.

Jake Rudock threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns but it was the defense of the Wolverines (10-3) that earned most credit, holding the Gators (10-4) to 28 total yards in the second half.

– Joshua Dobbs threw for 166 yards and ran for two touchdowns to lead unranked Tennessee’s 45-6 rout of No. 12 Northwestern in the Outback Bowl.

Hurd, voted the Outback Bowl MVP, had a big second half on his way to 130 yards on 24 carries and scored a touchdown. They finished with at least nine wins for the first time since 2007.

– Chad Kelly was terrific as 16th-rated MS dismantled No. 13 Oklahoma State 48-20 in the Sugar Bowl, completing 21 of his 33 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. After Josey Jewell gave the Hawkeyes the ball by intercepting Hogan in the end zone, Beathard capped an 80-yard drive with a 31-yard touchdown toss to Akrum Wadley.